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Monday, 28 September 2009

Birthday Blog

Well, I haven't blogged for ages and I don't quite know what happened! We went away on holiday in August and before I knew it we were back at school and I got caught up in all the things there are to do at the start of a new school year. Anyway, today is my birthday and it seemed a good opportunity to sit down and take stock and catch up.

Hatty's picture of me blowing out my candles (count them!!)

Back in August we had a great holiday camping, first in the Swiss Alps, near to the French border, and then in the south of France - both places we know well and love going back to.

There was cool mountain air, steep climbs, picnics by rock pools with icy water to dip your toes in; wild flowers, butterflies, beetles; cheese, chocolate, coffee in auberges. Above all, it was quiet, peaceful and our hosts at the little campsite were warmly hospitable, as always.

The Alpes-Maritimes region of France was hot. So we explored less energetically - art galleries, villages with narrow shady and cobbled streets, markets that sold everything but most, importantly, food! And, being France, you can try before you buy.

And, I finally got to visit La Droguerie in Nice - a wonderful old-fashioned emporium of wools, buttons, beads, trimmings, Liberty fabrics. The length of time queuing for help and to pay were also old-fashioned but worth it, and I came away with stuff to make a Liberty scarf, a necklace kit or three and the Mes Accessoires Signes: La Droguerie book of patterns for scarves, mittens, bags, knitted flowers etc. I think it is the yarn and colour choices which make the designs look so chic and 'French'.

And now last, but by no means least, I must thank my 'Secret Pal' (Lena) for all the beautiful packages she has been sending me from Sweden. She really has a talent for picking out the perfect gifts. Here are the last two parcels:

there is beautiful Mirasol yarn (Hacho and Sulka), books about Swedish cookery and Scandinavian 'domino' knitting, a Henning Mankel thriller, a pretty notebook, divine chocolate in little mini bars. Thank you, Lena, so much - I have enjoyed everything and the beautiful cards which accompany eavh parcel!

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Birthday Blog

Well, I haven't blogged for ages and I don't quite know what happened! We went away on holiday in August and before I knew it we were back at school and I got caught up in all the things there are to do at the start of a new school year. Anyway, today is my birthday and it seemed a good opportunity to sit down and take stock and catch up.

Hatty's picture of me blowing out my candles (count them!!)

Back in August we had a great holiday camping, first in the Swiss Alps, near to the French border, and then in the south of France - both places we know well and love going back to.

There was cool mountain air, steep climbs, picnics by rock pools with icy water to dip your toes in; wild flowers, butterflies, beetles; cheese, chocolate, coffee in auberges. Above all, it was quiet, peaceful and our hosts at the little campsite were warmly hospitable, as always.

The Alpes-Maritimes region of France was hot. So we explored less energetically - art galleries, villages with narrow shady and cobbled streets, markets that sold everything but most, importantly, food! And, being France, you can try before you buy.

And, I finally got to visit La Droguerie in Nice - a wonderful old-fashioned emporium of wools, buttons, beads, trimmings, Liberty fabrics. The length of time queuing for help and to pay were also old-fashioned but worth it, and I came away with stuff to make a Liberty scarf, a necklace kit or three and the Mes Accessoires Signes: La Droguerie book of patterns for scarves, mittens, bags, knitted flowers etc. I think it is the yarn and colour choices which make the designs look so chic and 'French'.

And now last, but by no means least, I must thank my 'Secret Pal' (Lena) for all the beautiful packages she has been sending me from Sweden. She really has a talent for picking out the perfect gifts. Here are the last two parcels:

there is beautiful Mirasol yarn (Hacho and Sulka), books about Swedish cookery and Scandinavian 'domino' knitting, a Henning Mankel thriller, a pretty notebook, divine chocolate in little mini bars. Thank you, Lena, so much - I have enjoyed everything and the beautiful cards which accompany eavh parcel!